Central Copenhagen’s relatively small size is part of its charm and also makes it a great place to shop. With shops all within easy walking distance of one another, a visitor can spend an entire day just wandering around shopping, while taking in the sights and having the occasional coffee break at one of the many cafes in town.
The main shopping drag in Copenhagen is called Strøget (meaning literally ‘the sweep’). Strøget is the longest pedestrian street in Europe and offers a huge variety of shops, cafes and restaurants. There are also plenty of other shops to discover off the main road. Keep in mind that most shops are closed on Sundays (although many are starting to open on the first and last Sundays of the month) and often close by 4.00 p.m. or earlier on Saturdays. On a warm, sunny day, Strøget is packed with tourists and natives alike.
Department Stores in Copenhagen
The two main department stores in Copenhagen are Magasin du Nord and Illum. Magasin du Nord is Copenhagen’s oldest and most respected department store. Located near Kongens Nytorv across from the Royal Theatre, it is housed in an elegant building dating from 1889. At Magasin du Nord, you can find designer clothing, high quality household goods, jewellery, perfume, books and food. Magasin’s wonderful food hall is located beneath the ground floor and offers a tempting variety of gourmet foods and wine from Denmark and around the world. Magasin also has a cafe located on the top flood which serves coffee, cake and lunchtime delicacies to the weary shopper.
Illum is located right in the heart of downtown Copenhagen, where Strøget meets Købmagergade, near Amagertorv. It is a bright, modern store with over four floors of fashion, home wares, jewellery, cosmetics and shoes. There is also a cafe and sweet shop on the ground floor. Illum is also well known for its quirky and modernistic window displays, especially at Christmas time.
Shopping for Porcelain and Danish Design in Copenhagen
Royal Copenhagen, located just down the street from Illum on Strøget, is almost more a museum than shop. The beautifully distinctive white and blue porcelain is lovingly and artistically displayed throughout the four story building. Besides the traditional white and blue dinnerware it is known for, Royal Copenhagen also carries beautiful figurines and collectibles. For those of you who would like to purchase a piece of Royal Copenhagen without breaking the bank, there is a small section of the shop devoted to selling ‘seconds’ and discontinued seasonal plates (such as the famous Christmas and Mother’s Day dishes that come out every year). Often, an artist is on hand to demonstrate the intricate painting of the porcelain itself.
Some of the very best in Danish design can be found just next door at Illums Bolighus. Founded in 1925, Illums Bolighus showcases some of the most innovative and stylish interior design in Denmark. At Illums Bolighus, you can find lighting, furniture, kitchen and garden ware and much more, all designed by the most respected and celebrated designers working in Denmark today.
Shopping for Bargains and Souvenirs in Copenhagen
Visiting the finest Copenhagen shops may be fun, but it is also very expensive, even before the 35% sales tax. If you are looking for something within your budget that is still distinctively Danish, you can visit two of Denmark’s most popular shops, Søstrene Grene and Tiger. At Søstrene Grene and Tiger, you won’t find anything much more expensive than 50 kroner. In fact, they are almost like a Danish version of the British pound shop or American dollar store, but with a charm and sense of fun that is uniquely Danish.
Søstrene Grene (literally ‘the Green Sisters’) has its central Copenhagen location right on Strøget, to the east of Illum and Royal Copenhagen, towards Rådhuspladsen. A walk through the shop takes you along a winding path where you can find exotic teas, pretty and whimsical toys and porcelain, art supplies and, of course with this being Denmark, lots of candles and candle-related items. Many of the items are Fair Trade and all of are very good quality for the money.
Tiger is located along Købmagergade close to Nørreport Station. Like Søstrene Grene, Tiger has a large variety of items ranging from DVDs (for 20 kroner!), cards, quirky toys and games, teas and spices and, of course, candles. You can find things both useful and just plain fun and different at Søstrene Grene and Tiger.
Of course, no visitor to Copenhagen wants to leave without picking up a few souvenirs and postcards for family and friends. Souvenir shops dot the entire Strøget area and are where you will find Viking hats, T-shirts, postcards and lovely cheesy porcelain dishes imprinted with pictures of the royal family, sure to impress everyone back home.
More Shopping in Copenhagen
These are just a few of the many places to shop in Copenhagen. If you spend a day wandering around the main tourist area, be adventurous and try some of the little side streets. There are plenty of interesting boutiques, jewellery, amber and antique shops to explore as well as the more mainstream stores mentioned here.
Beth MacMillan - Beth MacMillan fulfilled her dream of living and traveling in Europe when she, her husband and their two dogs moved to Denmark in 2001 for ...
